Automatic scale.



J. H. A. BOUSFIELD.

AUTOMATIC SCALE.

APPLICATION FILED ocT. I6. I9Is.

1,230,85 1 Patented June 26, 1917. 5 SHEETS-SHEET l.

J. H. A. BUSFIEL'D.

AUTOMATIC SCALE.

APPLICATION HLED ocr. 16. 191s.

1,230,851 v Emma Jun@ 26, m17.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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AUTOMATIC SCALE.

APPUCATlON FILED OCT|16|19|6 1,230,851 Patented June 26, 1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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l. H. A. BOUSFIELD.

AUTOMATIC SCALE.

APPLICATION FILED oc.xs,1916.

1,230,851 Patented June 26,1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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l. H. A. BOUSFIELD.

AUTOMATIC SCALE.

APPLICATION FILED ocT. 16. 191s.

Patented June 26, 1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

Grammys UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOI-IN H. A. BOUSFIELB, OF ST. JOHNSBURY, VERMONT, ASSIGNOR TO E. AND T. FAIR- BANKS AND COMPANY, OF ST. JOHN-SBURY, VERMONT, .A CORPORATION OF VER- MONT.

AUTOMATIC SCALE.

weasel.

Application led October 16, 1916.

To all IIU/wm it may concern.'

Be it known that I, .loi-IN II. A. BonsrinLo, a citizen of the United States yof America, residing at St. Johnsbury, in the county of Caledonia. and State of Vermont, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Scales, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying` drawings.

The invention relates to automatic scales of that type particularly designed for use in the weighing of grain or other free-flow ing materials, and in which the filling and emptying of the hopper is controlled by automaticallyeopcrated inlet and discharge gates. lith such constructions it is usual to open the discharge gate by the weight of grain in the hopper and to close the same by a counter-weight when the pressure of grain is relieved. It is also usual to actuate the inlet gate by power derived from the movement of the hopper when relieved from the weight of grain therein and actuated by the unbalanced weight of the beam. To secure the proper timing a somewhat complex intermediate mechanism is required and `difficulty is also experienced in controlling or checking the inertia of the falling weight when the hopper vis suddenly relieved of the grain. In other words, the weight on the beam remains constant while the weight in the hopper is variable, and therefore an mr balanced condition is brought about upon the discharge of the grain, requiring the employment of springs or other cushioning means for arresting movement.

The present invention is designed to accomplish the closing and control of the inlet gate by a simplified mechanism and also to absorb the inertia of the moving hopper and beam so as to avoid shocks. This is accomplished, first, by actuating the inlet gate inv its closing movement by stored power independent of the movement of the hopper or the lower gate; and second, by utilizing this power-storage means for absorbing the inertia of the moving beam and hopper, dispensing with the necessity of intermediate stops, dash-pots, springs or other cushioning means. The invention further comprises various features of construction as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of an auto- Specincation of Letters Patent.

Patented June 26, 1917.

Serial No. 125,939.

matie scale to which my improvements are applied;

1T ig. 2 is a side elevation thereof;

Eig. 5 is a rear elevation;

Fig. .Je is a diagrammatic view illustrating the operation;

F ig. 5 is a view similar to F ig. l showing the inlet gate in dribble position.

A is the supporting frame, B the hopper,

yand C the beam, which is fulcrumed on knife-edge pivots D upon the frame and supports the hopper upon knife-edge pivots E. F is the weight-box attached to the beam. GY is the discharge gate for the hopper andll is the inlet gate, all of said parts as thus far described being of the usual construction.

rl`he discharge gate Gr is counter-weighted at G to effect automatic closing when relieved from the weight of grain, and is locked rin closed position byy the usual toggle mechanism, comprising the rock-arm I and link J. The arrangement is such that in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. i), the toggle is past its center and will hold theA gate locked, while in the position shown in full lines the gate is free to move. The toggle is tripped by a striker lever K, which throws upward a `latch-arm L and moves the rock-arm of the toggle beyond its dead center, so that the weight of the grain upon the gate G may effect the opening. The striker-lever I in -turn is actuated by a rod M, which is connected to the inlet gate mechanism so as to effect 'the tripping upon the complete closing of said gate.

As heretofore constructed, the inlet gate is usually closed by gravity and is opened by the operation of lifter rods actuated by the movement of the hopper-supporting means. This mechanism I have reorganized, dispensing with the lifter rods for direct actuation of the gate and providing a powerstorage, as previously described. The specilic construction is preferably as follows: The inlet gate H is pivoted at Irl and is so lralanced as to automatically close by gravity'. Connected to the gate at one end thereof is a rock-arm N, which is pivotally attached to a lever O fulcrumed upon a rod P, the lower end of which at certain times rests upon the lever C, being preferably provided with a concave bearing P engaging an upwardly-projecting lug P2 on said lever. These parts are not, however, in contact or dribble position.

when the beam is in weighing position. Q is a weight suspended from the free end of the lever O and guided by a slidable engagement with a vertical guide-rod Q on the frame, the arrangement being such that when the gate is free to open the weight Q operating through the lever O and rockarm N will actuate the same. At the opposite side of the machine there is arranged a rockable locking-plate R, which has an actuating rock-arm R pivotally connected to one end of a pair of toggle links S S, the opposite end of said links being pivoted at S2 to the frame and the rod M being attached to the pivotal connection between said links.

The locking-plate R carries a roller R2, which when the toggle links are straightened is in contact with a roll or lug H2 on the gate H, thereby holding said gatelocked from opening. The plate R is also provided with a lug R3, which in another position of adjustment stands in the path of the lug H2 to hold the gate in nearly closed This position is assumed when the rod M is slightly lifted to place the toggle links S and S in slightly langular position, and the parts are held in such position by a rockable trip T pivoted at T to the frame and having a roller T2 engaging a shoulder M on the rod M, as will be hereinafter explained.

With the construction` as thus far described, assuming the parts to be in the position shown in full lines in Fig. l, the toggle links S and S are straightened and therefore form a lock, which holds the rockable locking-plate R from movement and thereby locks the gate H closed through engagement of the roll R2 with the lug H2. On the opposite side of the machine the weight Q will be in full line position, where it is suspended from the lever O, the latter being fulcrumed at point P where the strut P Vengages the lever C. Thus the pull of the weight tends to rock the arm N so as to open the gate. Such movement is, however, prevented by the locking of the gate and the weight Q is therefore held in its raised position. The Aposition of the parts just described is one which occurs when the hopper has been relieved from the weight of an emptying charge of grain, but before the complete discharge and closing of the outlet gate G. Then the discharge is completed the gate G will be automatically `closed by its counterweight G', which will raise the rod J, swinging the toggle arm I, and causing the latch-arm L to strike the lever K, actuating kthe latter sol as to lift the rod M and to break the joint of the toggle links S and S. As soon as the links are moved out of alinement, the lockingplate R will release the gate H, and the weight Q, operating through the lever 0,

will rock the arm N and quickly move the gate H to full open position. The hopper is then rapidly lilled with the incoming stream of grain until the accumulating weight combined with the impact of the discharge is sufficient to overbalance the weight F on the lever or beam C. 1When this occurs, the hopper will be lowered, the weight F rising, and the tilting of the lever C will lower the supporting lug P2, permitting the dropping of the rod P. This withdraws the fulcrum from the lever O, and as the weight Q is resting upon a supporting shelf Q2 on the frame the gate H will beY relieved Y from its counterbalancing force and will be free to close by gravity. The closing movement continues until the lug H2 comes in contact with the stop lug R3 on the lockingplate R, .which holds the gate in dribble position. The plate R is held in this position by engagement of the roll T2 on the rock-arm T with the shoulder bearing M on the rod M, the shoulder bearing lv as shown being formed by a. roll carried by the rod M, and this engagement is effected by a counterweight U, operatively connected with the rock-arm T. Tn dribble position the impact of the descending column of grain is so lessened as to arrest further downward movement of the hopper until sufficient grain is added to eiect a balance. The hopper will then fall until the lever is in balanced position and during such movement of the lever an arm V impinging against a trip-arm T3 connected with the rock-arm T will rock the latter to withdraw the roll T2 from the shoulder M, permitting the rod M to fall and the toggle links S and S to assume a straightened or locked position. At the same time the gate H will fully close and will w remain locked in this position by the engagement of the roll R2 with the lug H2.

The opening of the discharge gate G is automatically effected'by the closing of the inlet gate H through the medium of the rod M and lever K, and the latter striking upward on the arm L and moving the toggle link I beyond its center, the weight of grain in the hopper operating upon the gate G will overpower the counterweight G and will open the gate. lVhen this occurs, the grain is rapidly discharged and as soon as the hopper is relieved of a portion of its weight the beam will be unbalanced and the weight F will cause a rapid upward movement of the hopper. Heretofore ditliculty has been experienced in avoiding shocks due to the inertia of the movement of the weight F, and various expedients, such as dash-pots and other shock-absorbing devices, have been used to lessen the impact. TWith-my improved construction all such devices may be dispensed with, as the upward movement of the hopperis opposed by the weight Q, and the work of lifting this weight will ab- CII inseam sorb suliicient power to avoid any impact and will permit the weight box to come gradually to its permanent stop, dispensing with all intermediate stops. At the same time the power thus absorbed is stored and is subsequently utilized in opening the gate, as has been previously described. in detail, when the hopper begins its ascent the weight Q is resting upon the shelf Q2 and the gate A ll is in tull i closen and locked position as shown in full lines in Fig. 2. The rod P is resting upon the lever C, the lug 732 engaging the concave bearing ly, iis the hopper rises the lever will push the rod l) upward and the pivotal connection N between the lever ti and rock-arm N will act as a fulcruin so that upward movement of the lever and rod P is opposed by the weight Q. This will absorb the power, producing a g 'adual rise of the hopper wthout any final shock. As the gate H is locked the reaction of the weight Q cannot produce any movement thereot, but as soon as the gate is released by the breaking of the toggle lock S S, the weight Q again becames operative to open the gate. To hold the rod 'from displacement a pivoted link lV is connected thereto and to the stationary trame.

lllhat l claim as my invention is l. ln an automatic scale, the combination with a weighing hopper having inlet and discharge gates adapted for alternate operation, ot' means operating upon the risc of the hopper to absorb and store a portion ot the iliower thereof, and. means subsequently utilizing the power stored, in the operation ot one of said gates.

a. ln an automatic scale, the combination with the weighing hopper having inlet and discharge gates adapted for alternate operation, ot means operating upon the rise oit the hopper for absorbing' and storing the power thereof, and means for utilizing the stored power to open the inlet gate.

3. In an automatic scale, the combination with a weighing hopper having inlet and discharge gates adapted :tor alternate open ation, ot' mechanism for opening the inlet gate, means operating upon the rise ot the hopper tor absorbing a portion of the power thereoin and storing the same tor the actuation ot said gate-opening mechanism, and means operating' subsequent to the opening' of the gate and upon the falling ot the hopper tor relieving said gate trom its opening power and permitting the alitomatic closing thereof.

l-. in an automatic scale, the combination with a weighing hopper and an inlet gate therefor adapted to automatically close, of mechanism tor opening said gate, means operating upon the rise or" the hopper for absorbing the power thereof and storing the same Yfor the operation ot said. gateopening mechanism, and means operating upon the falling oit the hopper tor relieving said gate-opening mechanism 'trom its opening power to permit olf the automatic closing.

in an automatic scale, the combination wit-h a weighing hopper and an inlet gate therefor adapted to automatically close, ot mechanism tor opening said gate, a weight :For actuating' said mechanism, and means operating' upon therising et the hopper tor litting said weight toabsorb and store the power ot the upv-fard' movement.

G. 'in an automatic scale, the combination with a weighing hopper and an inlet gate thereto' adapted to automatically close and lock, ot a lever mechanism tor opening said gate, a weight tor actuating said lever mechanism when the gate is unlocked, means operating' upon the rise of the hopper and while said gate is locked closed, for actuating Said lever mechanism to raise said weight and thereby to absorb and store the power ot the hopper rising movement, and means 'For unlocking said gate to permit said weight to open the same.

7. ln an automatic scale, the combination with a weighing hopper and an inlet gate therefor adapted to automatically close and lock, ot a weight supplying the power tor opening' said gate, and connecting mechanism between said gate, weight and hopper, for lifting the weight to absorb and store the power of the rising movement ot the hopper and for releasing the gate from the power ot the weight when the hopper descends to permit automatic closino.

8. in an automatic scale, the combination with a weighing hopper and an inlet gate therefor adapted to automatically close and lock, ot a rock-arm tor opening said gate, a lever pivotally connected to said rockarm, a weight connected to the opposite end ot said lever, and a tulcrum bearing for said lever, raised and lowered by the corresponding movement of said hopper, tor the purpose described.

9. ln an automatic scale, the combination with a weighing hopper, ot an inlet gate therefor adapted to automatically close and lock, a rock-arm for opening said gate, a lever connected to said rock-arm, a weight connected to the opposite end ot said lever, and a connection between said lever and said hopper constituting a litting means for said weight in the closed and locked position ot said gate, and forming a tulcrum tor said lever, to permit the actuation ot the same by said weight when said gate is unlocked to open the same.

1G. ln an automatic scale, the combination with a weighing hopper and inlet gate therefor, adapted to automatically close and lock, ot a weighted beam supporting said hopper, a rock-arm 'for opening said gate, a .lever connected to said rock-arm, a weight connectetl to the opposite end of said lever, a strut supported on said beam and having intermediate Connection -With said lever, constituting an actuating means for raising said Weight in the looked position of Said gate, and a fulorum for said lever When aotnatecl by said' Weight to open said gate.

l1. In an automatic scale, the Combination with the hopper, the supporting beam, Weighing Weight and a gate controlling the inlet to the hopper, oi' means operating when the hopper is relieved of its load for absorbing and storing the power of the moving parte, and means for utilizing said power in operating said gate.

12. In an automatic scale, the Combination with a Weighing hopper having inlet and discharge gates adapted for alternate operation, of means operating upon the rise ot' the hopper for absorbing and storing a portion of the po-Wer thereof and for actuating one of said gates in a portion of its movement by said stored power independent of the movement of the hopper.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in the presence of tivo Witnesses.

JOHN H. A. EOUSFIELD. lVitnesses ERNEST E. HoLBnooK, Gmo. R. BoLLINeEn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

